$5

ANTHONY CURTIS’ April 2018 Vol. 35 LasVegasAdvisor Issue 4

WOW— WORLD OF WONDER Water-based variety at the Rio … pg. 8

PAID PARKING AND RESORT FEES No end in sight … pg. 1

SHOW PRICE SURVEY Ticket prices are up again … pgs. 1, 8

HELL’S KITCHEN New Ramsay restaurant is Heavenly … pg. 4

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Then, for good measure, Las Vegas Premium Outlets COUPONOMY North, the factory-direct shopping mall near downtown, by Anthony Curtis announced that it had instituted paid parking. Come again? Yep. The fee is $5 for out-of-state visitors to park AT Parking Fees THE OUTLET MALL (no charge for locals). Owner Simon Property Group released a statement saying that the fee at the Outlet Mall was implemented “because of customer demand and to improve the customer experience.” Is anyone still wondering if the casinos intend to Uh huh. Having to pay more to go to the second- change their stance on paid parking? Or maybe ease up rate discount mall would certainly improve the experi- a smidge on resort fees? If so, you haven’t been paying ence for me. And since that’s the case, why not charge attention. Not only are they not considering rescinding/ locals? Don’t they deserve an enhanced experience too? reducing fees, they’re increasing them. Here’s the resort Prices go up. That’s a reality and you’ll read about fees and paid parking box score from last month alone. it happening more than usual in this month’s issue. But MGM Resorts International kicked things off by you’ll also read about alternatives. Many of those alter- raising resort fees at 10 of its properties. The RFs were natives can be found at the locals casinos and definitely raised by $2, to $37 per night, at Delano, MGM Grand, downtown, and I think the public is starting to gravi- Mirage, Signature at MGM, Mandalay Bay, Monte tate toward them. The steady increases in downtown’s Carlo, and New York-New York; by $2, to $30, at Circus monthly gambling win are due to higher play volume, Circus; and by $5, to $35, at Luxor and Excalibur. There which comes with escalating visitation. was no change at Bellagio, Vdara, and Aria, where RFs Will the reverse take effect on the Strip and lead to are already $39. MRI CEO Jim Murren commented, “We reversions of policies? It might, but indications are that are lagging the market. Caesars properties have higher it won’t for some time. For the average visitor, it’s obvi- resort fees, which is a great change since they started ously not a big enough problem to make them change with no resort fees not long ago, but welcome to the their habits, which is why the fees are where they are. party.” Funny, right? Maybe to him. However, anyone who follows our consumer polls on MRI wasn’t alone. At the same time, LasVegasAdvisor.com (particularly the current one as we raised RFs at Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch by $4 go to press on transportation habits) knows that the dis- to $39 per night. And a week later it was Sands Corp.’s taste for resort fees and paid parking is striking. turn, as Venetian and Palazzo raised daily rates by $6. If you’re irked by exorbitant resort fees and parking Already tied for highest in town before the increase, their charges, then go where they ain’t. You don’t have to RFs now top the heap at $45 per night. The two Sands stop coming to Las Vegas, but you might have to stop Corp. properties have raised their fees by $20 in the last hanging out on the Strip … and at the outlet mall. n three years; however, both continue to be among the few Strip casinos that don’t charge for parking. Caesars probably wanted to join in, but it had al- ready raised RFs by $2 to $5 in February and its proper- Show-Price Survey ties now have fees from $30 to $39 per night. Instead, Caesars raised parking fees. At Bally’s, Cromwell, For the 27th consecutive year, we’ve crunched the Flamingo, Harrah’s, , and Paris, the rates were numbers to determine the average cost of a show ticket raised by $2 to $9 for 1-4 hours and $12 for more than in Las Vegas. And for the 22nd time, the average has four hours. Rates at Caesars Palace are up $2 to $12 for gone up year over year. This year’s number is $94.86, up 1-4 hours and by $3 to $15 for more than four. Parking from $92.30. remains free for stays of less than one hour and is free As I’ve stated in past years, this is the only such for any duration at Planet Hollywood. continued on next page

APRIL 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 1 Show-Price Survey continued … NEWS ticket-price study I’ve ever seen and it paints an interest- ing picture of the way prices in Las Vegas have risen in Kind Heaven—A new “attraction” has been an- general over the years. You can see from the chart on nounced for the Strip. Kind Heaven, a 100,000-square- page 9 that prices have gone up steadily and this year’s foot Southeast Asian-themed entertainment zone in the average is 3.5 times what it was in 1992—just as break- LINQ Promenade, will feature virtual and augmented re- fast specials, shrimp cocktails, and drinks are now 3X to ality experiences, live music, street-vendor-style dining, 4X what they were then. We all grouse about fees and and retail. At least a portion of the attraction, created in escalating prices, but it’s the way of the world and I’m part by former Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, laying 4-1 that the number will be higher next year. will be ticketed and transactions will use a cashless The good news is that with 99 shows to choose payment-tracking system that accepts cryptocurrencies. from, there’s a palatable option for almost every budget. The $100 million project is scheduled to debut in 2019. Plus, as we point out every year, retail is rarely the bot- Palms—Station Casinos has increased the budget tom line when it comes to show tix, which isn’t the case for the Palms renovation by $135 million, bringing the to- for breakfast specials and shrimp cocktails. Though tal price tag to $620 million. The additional funds will be discounts for the top shows are difficult to come by, used to accelerate the third phase of the project, which you can almost always find relief for most shows from includes casino upgrades, a dim sum restaurant, an en- the half-price ticket outlets, freebie-mag ads, online dis- hanced connector between the casino and , counters like Goldstar.com, discount codes like ours at and a new marquee. It’s a significant infusion, given that LasVegasAdvisor.com, and the Member Rewards Book. the acquisition price of the entire resort was only $313 Yes, prices are up, but there are still plenty of ways to million. All elements of the overhaul are expected to be keep costs in check. implemented by 2019. Get all the details on the 2018 show-price survey in Stratosphere—Golden Entertainment, the giant ntertainment n E . slot-route operator and owner of the PT’s bars that re- cently purchased the Stratosphere, says it will invest $140 million in a large-scale enhancements of the tower. Beware the Main Event Plans call for a renovation of about half the rooms, the addition of a gastro-brewery, new dining options, and the conversion of unused areas into meeting space. The Everyone knew it was coming, but no one quite ex- project is expected to be completed by 2021. pected this. Dubbed the “Main Event,” the third and final Venetian—The gaming floor at the Venetian has phase of the massive “Project Neon” roadway reconfigu- been completely reconfigured. The makeover was never ration is underway and creating havoc on the interstates, mentioned in the press, but it’s like walking into a whole especially during prime travel times. Giant chunks of I-15 new casino. have been narrowed to two lanes and several exit ramps Wynn—There may be a change in priorities for have been closed or shrunk. As a result, traffic is almost Wynn Resorts under its new management. Specifically, always backed up going south from D Street to Sahara the company has indicated that it may proceed with the and going north from Tropicana to the Spaghetti Bowl building of Wynn West on the former Alon site before the interchange. Worse, it’s something of a moving target. previously presumed lead project, Paradise Park. If that One day one of the Charleston exits is closed, the next happens, it may mean that Paradise Park will never be it’s the onramps to I-15. It’s a mess and a half. built. No official decisions have been made public. If you know the area, it’s a relatively minor inconve- Station—Station Casinos is upgrading several of its nience to follow the detours or simply wend your way around and back to where you want to go. But if you don’t, I recommend using Las Vegas Blvd. to and from LAS VEGAS 3665 Procyon Street • Las Vegas, NV 89103 n (702) 252-0655 • (702) 252-0675 Fax downtown from the Strip. ADVISOR e-mail: [email protected] • Internet: LasVegasAdvisor.com Publisher: Anthony Curtis Customer Service: Nicole Watchus Book Sign and Wine Senior Editor: Deke Castleman Shipping & Receiving: Scotch Henderson Accounting: John Leitner Contributing Writers: Jeffrey Compton, Bob Production Manager: Laurie Cabot Dancer, Stewart Ethier, Bob Fuss, Scot Krause, Come join John Curtas, author of Eating Las Vegas ’18, Web Manager: Tanya Maynard Bradley Peterson, Blair Rodman, Jean Scott, for a book signing and wine tasting at Marche Bacchus (2620 Research Assistant: Brenda Stewart Michael Shackleford Projects Coordinator: Lynne Loomis Cover: Roi Regatta Dr.) on April 8. John will be signing from 4 to 6 pm LAS VEGAS ADVISOR (ISSN 1064-167X USPS 008602) is published monthly and is available for $50 per year ($60 Canadian; and the wine tasting will run concurrently. Anthony Curtis and $70 foreign purchasers) and $5 per single issue at 3665 Procyon St., Las Vegas, NV, 89103. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Las Vegas Advisor, 3665 Procyon St., Las Vegas, NV 89103. All information is current at press time. Listed offerings other LVA staffers will be on hand for the event. \. are subject to change at any time. Huntington Press ©2018

2 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • APRIL 2018 movie theaters, including those at Texas Station, Boul- Las Vegas’ Top Ten Values der Station, and Palms, along with adding a new theater complex at Palace Station. Targeted for improvement are the bar and concession areas, along with the addi- 1. Steak Dinner • Ellis Island • 24 hours • $7.99 tion of larger reclining chairs. The work is expected to be 2. Buffet • Palms • Daily • $10.99-$19.99 completed before the end of the year. 3. Draft Beer • Flamingo • Daily • 5¢ Tropicana/Dean Martin Corner—The five-story 4. Mac King • Harrah’s • Tues.–Sat. • $14.98 135-room Home2 Suites and the five-story 113-room 5. Shrimp Cocktail • Fremont • Daily • 99¢ TownePlace Suites are going up on the corner where 6. Hot Dog • South Point • Daily • $1.25 the Golden Palm was located. The two new non-casino 7. Beer • Stage Door • 24 hours • $1 are scheduled to open by summer and target 8. Prime Rib • Klondike Sunset • Daily • $5.55/$12.99 business travelers and frequent Las Vegas visitors who 9. $1 Blackjack • Hooters • 24 hours • $1.20 want to stay off the Strip or be only a short walk away from the Las Vegas Raiders Stadium when it opens. 10. Lunch Comp • Crown & Anchor • Daily • $20 buy-in Pennsylvania—Las Vegas Sands Corp. has sold Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania for $1.3 billion to Both the former #2 and #3 deals on the list sus- the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The tribe also has tained price increases last month (see Dining), which casinos in its home state of Alabama and the Caribbean, emphasizes the value of the returning deals that are racetracks in Alabama and Florida, and manages the Wa bucking the price-increase trend. The Ellis Island steak She Shu Casino in Gardnerville, Nevada. dinner (#1) is served in the Café and requires that you New York—Point Place Casino has opened near print out two coupons from an EI kiosk, the second one Syracuse. The $40 million resort owned by the Oneida after playing at least $5 in any slot machine with your Indian Nation features two bars, three restaurants, and club card inserted, to get the $7.99 price. A.Y.C.E. at a 65,000-square-foot casino with 500 slots and 20 table the Palms (#2) is our choice for Las Vegas’ best buffet games. It’s New York’s 20th casino or . considering the combination of quality and price; get the Statistics—Nevada’s statewide gambling win was listed prices by showing a Boarding Pass card. There’s down 2.1% in January compared to the same month been no word on whether or not the twice-weekly in- last year. The Strip win was down 8.9% while downtown stacomp will be continued in April; check at the club was up 1.8%. booth. The 5¢ beers (#3) at the Flamingo are served in Following last year’s drop in visitation, 2018 began the Margaritaville Casino area’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere on a negative note with a year-over-year visitor decline Bar from 5 to 6 pm. Get a ticket to the Mac King Com- of 3.3% in January. Contributing was a 16.7% drop in edy Magic Show and a drink for $14.98 by asking at the convention attendance, which was due in part to a shift players club booth (#4). After a price increase at Skyline, in dates for some big shows. the shrimp cocktail served in the Lanai Express snack Airline traffic continues to rise with a 2.7% increase bar at the Fremont takes its place on the list (#5). It’s the in January. Involuntary airline bumpings hit their lowest last of the 99-centers, but also good quality and served rate last year since the number began being tracked in all hours except 7 to 11 am daily. The hot dogs at South 1995. Only .34 passengers per 10,000 were bumped in Point (#6) are sold from a cart in the sports book from 2017. Delta was the lowest at .05 passengers per 10,000 10 am until they close down the cart around 5 pm. For- and Spirit was the highest at .82. It’s doubly good news merly PBR in the bottle, now it’s Michelob for $1 at the for customers who want to get bumped, as the low rate Stage Door slot house on Flamingo (#7), just east of the is attributed to better compensation for passengers who Strip. The Klondike Sunset breakfast special drops out, volunteer to be rescheduled, spurred by the high-profile but Klondike stays on the list with its prime rib dinner United Airlines forcible-bumping incident a year ago. duo, served beginning at 11 am in Sarah’s Kitchen (#8). Media—The March/April Cigar Aficionado contains Hooters’ $1-minimum blackjack game (#9) runs 24/7 in a story titled “Small Games, Big Money” that discusses the pit; naturals pay even money on bets of $1-$4. The the exploits of advantage player Eddie Teams. Teams Crown & Anchor bars’ lunch comp (#10) runs daily from is something of a legend among pros for his downright 8 am to 2:30 pm at the east location and 11 am to 3 pm at the west, and is good for an appetizer until 6 pm on creativeness. Teams is quoted, “Every n in the world is beatable, and it can all be done without the east and 7 pm on the west. breaking any laws.” Of course, not all of Teams’ claims to fame are revealed, but the story discloses more than we ever thought we’d see publicly about this dude. down more than $24 million in prizes. While short on The cover story in the March 26 USA Today titled technical details, it’s an interesting story that’s reminis- “Confessions of a Lottery Scammer” details the rig- cent of Nevada Gaming Control employee Ron Harris’ ging of several drawings by a lottery employee that took rigging of slot machines and keno in the ’90s. n

APRIL 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 3 round, so they don’t get microwave zapped and you can DINING request some atomic horseradish if that’s your thing. The Skyline shrimp is as good as ever and it’s still an excellent value, but the price increase opens the door for the Fremont. The Fremont’s shrimp cocktail isn’t as fan- Tough Month for Bargains, cy—served in a round plastic cup with filler at the bot- But There’s Relief tom—but it’s half the price and the last of the 99-centers ($1.07 after tax). It’s also much more convenient than having to go all the way out to Boulder Highway. Fre- Several of Las Vegas’ classic dining deals got hit mont uses bay shrimp reminiscent of the famous shrimp with price increases last month. Notably, two were in the cocktail on Fisherman’s Wharf Top Ten. in San Francisco. They’re First was the Klondike Sunset breakfast special, tiny, but there are probably a where the price of the bacon or sausage and eggs was hundred of those little guys in raised by 30¢ to $1.79. OK, it’s just 30¢, but that’s a the glass. It’s good, it’s nos- 20% bump and it eliminates Las Vegas’ last full break- talgic, and it’s served in what fast priced below a buck-fifty. Next came the shrimp might be the best snack bar cocktail at the Skyline in Henderson, which sustained a in Vegas, the Lanai Express. 50¢ price hike (25%) and is now $1.99. Piling on, Arizona Open all day every day ex- Charlie’s Decatur and Boulder both raised the price of cept from 7 to 11 am, several their ham & eggs and steak & eggs specials from $5.55 other solid deals here include to $7.77 (with a players club card); the prime rib special one of those giant hot dogs in Magnolia’s at Four Queens is up $1 to $10.99 (with of yesteryear for $2.99. Get a card); and the following buffets have bumped up prices shrimp and a dog and you’re by $1-$2: Aliante, Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, Gold Coast, set with two, almost extinct, Luxor, Main Street Station, Sam’s Town, and Suncoast. Vegas classics for under Fremont’s 99-center As we’ve indicated many times, there’s always an- $5. n other deal to fall back on, but what about those Top Tenners? Although we pulled the Klondike breakfast off the list, we still rate it the best breakfast deal in Vegas. Among several other breakfast specials, Joker Wild right Hell’s Kitchen around the corner serves one for $2.49. But that’s still more than the Klondike’s, even after the price increase, The hot hot HOT new restaurant at Caesars Palace so we’ll likely put it back in the Top Ten after a brief ab- is all Gordon Ramsay all the time. Along with his many sence. In the meantime, we’ve replaced it with another restaurants, Ramsay is the focal point of at least three deserving Klondike deal, its two bargain prime rib din- hugely popular reality-TV and competitive-cooking ners. The $5.55 dinner is surprisingly good, served with shows and when you walk in, a larger-than-life video of choice of potato and vegetable, daily from 3 to 11 pm. the uber-celebrity chef welcomes you. Accessed from If you want something heartier, the $12.99 cut is almost outside the casino (it’s right on the corner of the Strip twice as big and comes with choice of soup or salad, and Flamingo), the restaurant is huge, seating more available from 11 am on. Both are cut right from the than 300 at picture windows overlooking the Strip or in view of the open HK kitchen. Since the room is always Klondike prime rib for $5.55 packed to the rafters, it’s loud loud LOUD—decidedly not the place for a romantic dinner. But that’s part of the “complete experience,” along with friendly, efficient, super-fast service, some cool devices for presenting the food and drinks (the Smoke on the Boulevard cocktail is delivered in a smoke chamber), and ubiquitous pitchfork décor. The menu is noticeably minimalist, a function of the volume of food they pump out day and night. Appetiz- ers include lobster risotto, pan-seared scallops, smoked golden beets, wagyu meatballs, scampi prawn flambé, and seared foie gras, all priced high at $18-$25. Entrées, on the other hand, are reasonably priced from $29 for brick-pressed chicken to $49 for a New York strip or the

4 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • APRIL 2018 vaunted HK beef Wellington. There’s also a prix-fixe din- 30 minutes or so. It’s a good deal if you don’t mind the ner for $72 ($123 with wine pairings). Creative vegetable crowds, and especially good if you don’t mind cracking sides—e.g., roasted cauliflower with chili lime gremolata and are in the mood to chow down. n and mint or Brussels sprouts with pickled Fresno pep- pers and cilantro—are $9. Our faves were the lobster risotto, the vegetables Yama Sushi 2 just described, the Wellington, and a fork-tender braised short rib with polenta. We got the Wellington by way of the prix-fixe, which presents a good way to sample here. This is our new favorite for all-you-can-eat sushi. Lo- It comes with a choice of scallops or Caesar salad and cated at 3909 Spring Mountain in the strip mall just east sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Two can split the prix- of the original Chinatown Plaza, Yama serves a huge fixe and combine with two or three appetizers or sides to AYCE menu of traditional nigiri sushi, cut and hand rolls, hit several of the highlights for under $150. and about 30 non-sushi items, including soft-shell crab, Bottom line: This is a fun night out with good food at sweet shrimp with head, yellowtail and salmon kama a decent price and something that can go on your Ve- (collar), edamame, gyoza, seafood salad, poke salad, gas-brag list. If you decide to give it a try, there are two shrimp tempura, miso soup, and desserts. The fish is side considerations, both having to do with access. fresh and the chefs are fast, especially if you’re ordering Reservations—You’ll need to make dinner reserva- from the bar. It’s a big restaurant with a full bar and it’s tions weeks in advance if you want a dinner-hour seat- busy, so there’s a good vibe. On top of everything, the ing time (our mid-March reservations were made in price is the best in town: $20.95 for lunch and $24.95 for January). Things ease up if you don’t mind eating at off dinner and they serve till 2:30 am seven nights a week. times, especially late—the night we went, we checked This is Las Vegas’ second Yama, which is why it’s called availability and we could’ve gotten a table at 10:30 pm. Yama Sushi 2; the original is on the east side at 1350 E. Or go for lunch, where you have a reasonable chance Flamingo. n of getting seated as a walk-in. Still, we recommend res- ervations. You can probably get a decent lunch seating as early as a day in advance; when we called, they were Flowing Tide/Jackpot wide open three days ahead of time. Parking—Don’t let that stingy CET parking fee ruin this good night out. For those who want to park and In Gambling you’ll read about good video poker pro- hoof it, the play appears to be parking at Casino Royale motions at the new Flowing Tide Pub (see Entertainment) or the Venetian … but it’s not. The better move is the and Jackpot Bar and Grill, two bars within a block of one parking lot at the Stage Door across Flamingo from another. We had high hopes for Flowing Tide when we Bally’s. They’re somewhat particular about poachers in saw its Reno-esque menu (when’s the last time you saw their lot, so give ’em some pre-game action by walking a pan roast on a bar menu?). Alas, we gave it multiple into and ordering a $1 Michelob (see Top Ten) or tries and couldn’t find anything from the kitchen worth a $4 shot. Then it’s a short walk, less distance than from recommending. Better to play at both, but eat at Jack- Casino Royale (and even the Caesars parking garage), pot, where the food is better (LVA 12/17) and they’ve to the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Strip and drops just instituted an all-day $4.95 bar menu. Potstickers, you right at Hell’s Kitchen’s front door. Time it right and sliders, and the ham & cheese are the best of the selec- you’ll have an excellent view of the Bellagio fountain tions. n show on your walk back. n Dining Notes Tuscany Crab Legs Passover Buffets—Passover fare for lunch and din- Marilyn’s at Tuscany runs an all-you-can-eat crab ner will be served through April 7 at all Station Casinos’ legs special on Fridays from 4 to 10 pm. It’s snow crab, Feast and Festival buffets. so it takes some effort to work through the shells, but Le Dîner en Blanc—The high-end pop-up picnic they’re pre-cracked and they keep bringing ’em, along launched 30 years ago in Paris is back for its second with a potato and vegetable, all for $23.99. Comparing appearance in Las Vegas on April 29. Originally sched- the price to a similar crab legs dinner at the non-casino uled for Oct. 8, 2017, Le Dîner en Blanc was postponed Rhythm Kitchen that’s $42 explains why the place gets in deference to the Strip shooting. As is tradition, the mobbed (they claim to serve one ton of crab per week). specific location will remain a secret until “minutes be- Unless you come early or late, you might have to wait for continued on page 8

APRIL 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 5 ADVANCE PLANNER—HEADLINERS AND EVENTS

APRIL 4/13–4/14 • Carlos Mencia • Aliante • 4/28 • REO Speedwagon • Buffalo 4/2 • Knuckle Puck w/Boston Manor, $39–$55 Bill’s • $25–$55 Free Throw, Hot Mulligan and 4/13–4/14 • Three Hysterical Broads • South 4/28 • Stevie B • Orleans • $27–$77 Jetty Bones • Hard Rock • $18 Point • $15–$25 4/28 • Tiffany Haddish • Mirage • 4/3–4/18 • Céline Dion • Caesars Palace • 4/14 • Aaron Lewis • Orleans • $37.20/$43.60 $95–$500 $49.95/$59.95 4/28 • Ultimate Sumo League • Monte 4/5 • TOKiMONSTA • Hard Rock • 4/14–4/15 • • T-Mobile • Carlo • $54–$136 I ; $25/$35 $60–$280 4/28–4/29 • Elton John • Caesars Palace • 4/5–4/6 • Tony Orlando • South Point • 4/15 • Academy of CMA 2018 • MGM $55–$500 $50–$60 Grand • $575/$630 MAY 4/6 • Gin Blossoms • Golden Nugget • 4/15 • Deana Martin Honoring Joe 5/1–5/17 • Elton John • Caesars Palace • $31.61–$140.61 Mantegna • South Point • $45 $55–$500 4/6 • Jaden Smith • Hard Rock • 4/15 • Los Tres Tristes Tigres • MBay • 5/2 • Enrique Bunbury • MBay • $20/$35 $35–$75 $99/$104 4/6–4/8 • Emerge Impact • Strip • 4/15 • Sebastian Maniscalco • Caesars 5/2–5/12 • Earth, Wind & Fire • Venetian • $125–$485 Palace • $39.50–$95 $71.50–$324.50 4/6–4/8 • NHRA • LVMS • $37–$58 4/17 • Highly Suspect • Brooklyn Bowl 5/2–5/12 • John Fogerty • Wynn LV • 4/6–4/21 • Steel; Panther • MBay • $32 $30–$45 $59.50–$500 4/6–11/17 • Ray Romano & David Spade • 4/19 • Kelela with Tiffany Gouché • 5/2–5/12 • • Planet Hollywood • Mirage /;,• $90–$120 Hard Rock • $29.50/$55 $39–$149 ,. , // 4/7 • 3LAU,. '/ • Brooklyn Bowl • $20–$30 4/20 • Alt-J with Aurora • Cosmo • 5/2–5/19 • Classic • Monte Carlo • 4/7 • April Wine • Orleans • $25–$45 $27–$47 $55–$475 4/7 • Calibre1/;;, 50 • Buffalo Bill’s • 4/20 • Declan McKenna • Hard Rock • 5/4 • Blood Sweat and Tears • Golden $30–$65I I $15/$29 Nugget • $31.61–$140.61 4/7 • CannerystockI • Cannery • $20 4/20 • Jay & The Americans • Golden 5/4 • Caifanes • MBay • $55–$99.50 4/7 • DoobieI I Brothers w/JD & The Nugget • $20.71–$140.61 5/4 • Jay Leno • Mirage • $70.04– StraightI Shot • Cosmo • $39/$59 4/20 • Vance Joy • Palms • $23–$129 $90.04 4/7 • GloriaI Trevi vs Alejandra Guzman 4/20–4/21 • Brad Williams • Red Rock Resort 5/4 • Los Chicos del 512: Tribute to Monte Carlo • $45–$230 $35 Selena • Cannery • $20 4/7 • Ha*Ash–100 Años Contigo Tour 4/20–4/21 • Jerry Seinfeld • Caesars Palace 5/4–5/6 • Pablo Francisco • South Point • MBay • $39–$59.50 $82.50–$165 $20–$30 4/7 • LIT AF Tour hosted by Martin 4/20–4/21 • Las Rageous • LV Events Center 5/4–5/6 • STS9: 3 DAY PASS!!! • Brooklyn Lawrence • MBay • $39.50–$105 $127.50/$411.92 Bowl • $99/$175 4/7 • Tracy Lawrence • Aliante • 4/20–4/22 • Stayin’ Alive: Bee Gees Tribute • 5/5 • Canelo vs. GGG 2 • T-Mobile • $35–$50 South Point • $30–$40 $700–$5,000 4/8 • Sonny Turner • Suncoast • 4/20–4/28 • ZZ Top • Venetian • $54–$274 5/5 • Creedence Clearwater Revisited $15/$20 4/20–12/15 • Ron White • Mirage • Sunset Station • $40–$60 4/10 • Nightwish • Brooklyn Bowl • $68–$88 5/5 • Maluma • MBay • $39–$159 $53–$188 4/21 • Spinners • Cannery • $19.95– 5/5 • Ramon Ayala • Buffalo Bill’s • 4/11 • War on Drugs • Brooklyn Bowl • $49.95 $40/$80 $32–$67 4/21 • Tyler Henry • Buffalo Bill’s • 5/5 • TECH N9NE • MBay • $35 4/12 • Chromeo • Brooklyn Bowl • $25–$55 5/5–8/24 • Tim Allen • Mirage • $65.39– $33.50–$68.50 , 4/24/ • Teddy Afro • MBay • $53 $87.19 , I I 4/12 • Kane Brown • Palms • $34–$64 I I4/27 , • Gus Dapperton • Hard Rock • 5/8 • As the Crow Flies • Brooklyn I 4/13 • 10 Years w/Black Map • Hard I I I/ $12/$25 Bowl • $39.50–$150 Rock • $20/$35 4/27 • Herman’s Hermits • Golden 5/9 • Mac Sabbath • Brooklyn Bowl • 4/13 • ACM Party for a Cause • Red 1' Nugget • $42.51–$151.51 $18/$20 Rock Resort • $44/$84 4/27 • Nick Swardson • Mirage • 5/11 • Beats Antique DJ Set • Brooklyn 4/13 • Gary Puckett & The Union Gap $60/$71 Bowl • $22/$25 Golden Nugget • $31.61–$140.61 4/27 • Sons of Apollo • Brooklyn Bowl • 5/11 • Human League • MBay •~-~ 4/13 • Haims • Palms • $35–$127 $25/$30 $37.50–$47 /," 4/13 • Portugal. The Man • Cosmo • 4/27–4/28 • Mel Brooks • Wynn LV • 5/11–5/12 • U2 • T–Mobile • $46–$330,;' / $28 $125–$1100 5/11–5/13 • My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s,, 4/13 • Sister Sister Sister • Palms • 4/27–4/28 • Pitbull • Planet Hollywood • Jewish & I’m in Therapy • South $39–$139 $39–$149 Point • $25–$35 4/13 • Steven Wright • TI • 4/27–4/29 • Frankie Avalon • South Point • 5/12 • Adam Sandler • Cosmo • $43.55/$71.89 $40–$55 $49/$89 4/13 • Tyler Rich • Red Rock Resort • 4/28 • Eric B. and Rakim • MBay • 5/13 • Abba the Concert: Abba Tribute $20 $39.50–$59 Cannery • $19.95–$34.95 4/13–4/14 • ACM Party–WME Bash at the 4/28 • Kiefer Sutherland • Red Rock 5/13 • X Ambassadors • MBay • Beach • MBay • $106.36/$207.34 Resort • $45–$99 $30–$46

6 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • APRIL 2018 ADVANCE PLANNER—HEADLINERS AND EVENTS

5/14 • Peter Hook & The Light 6/8 • T.S.O.L. • Brooklyn Bowl • SHOW NOTES Brooklyn Bowl • $30/$35 $22/$25 5/15 • Todrick Hall • MBay • $32.50– 6/9 • Alan Parsons Live Project • • Opium has opened at the Cosmo- $152.50 Westgate LV • $41–$431 politan of Las Vegas; tickets are 5/16–5/27 • Carlos Santana • MBay • 6/9 • George Noory • Silverton • $91.11/$112.98/$134.71/$148.61. $99.50–$300 $45–$112.50 5/18 • Billy Currington • Sunset Station 6/9 • Jeff Ross and Dave Attell • • The Dirty Jokes Show has opened at $37.50–/$67.50 Mirage • $41–$61 Hooters; tickets are $54.25/$65.15. 5/18 • Glass Animals • Brooklyn Bowl • 6/9 • Jose Madero • MBay • $35/$100 • Ticket prices for X Rocks at Bally’s have $37/$40 6/9 • Kesha & Macklemore • MBay • been decreased from $75.88-$133.25 to 5/18 • Sheila E. • Golden Nugget • $45–$126 $71.13-$82.03. $31.61–$162.41 6/12–6/23 • Rod Stewart • Caesars Palace • 5/18–5/19 • Bill Maher • Mirage • $65–$87 $49–$250 • Ticket prices for Beatleshow at the V 5/18–5/20 • Electric Daisy Carnival • LVMS • 6/16 • Art Laboe • Buffalo Bill’s • Theater have been decreased from $340–$709 $35–$70 $76.28/$87.18 to $73.01/$83.91. 5/18–5/20 • Neil Berg • South Point • 6/16 • Barenaked Ladies • Red Rock • The lowest ticket price for Backstreet $30–$40 Resort • $56 Boys at Planet Hollywood has been de- 5/18–5/26 • Paul Anka • Wynn LV • $50–$175 6/16 • Blue October, Kitten • Brooklyn creased from $133.25 to $98.05. 5/19 • Juanes • Palms • $60–$150 Bowl • $29.50–$49.50 5/19 • Poison w/Cheap Trick • Hard 6/16 • Brantley Gilbert • Green Valley • The lowest ticket price for Electric Candy Rock • $79–$342 Ranch • $55 at Hooters has been decreased from 5/19 • SOJA • Brooklyn Bowl • $29.50– 6/16 • Queensryche and Skid Row • $54.25 to $35.96. $49.50 Cannery • $25–$50 • The highest ticket price for Vegas the 5/22–5/30 • Céline Dion • Caesars Palace • 6/16 • Sugarland • MBay • $31.50– Show at the V Theater has been de- $95–$500 $66.50 creased from $152.25 to $138.41. 5/23 • Green w/Raging Fyah, Iya Terra 6/16 • Trixie Mattel • MBay • $33–$53 Hard Rock • $20/$25 6/22 • Alanis Morissette • Palms • • The highest ticket price for Zombie 5/23–5/30 • Ricky Martin • Monte Carlo • $59–$279 Burlesque at the V Theater has been $54–$321 6/22 • Kathleen Madigan • Mirage • decreased from $128.98 to $106.98. 5/24 • Chon w/Polyphia, TTNG, and $61 Tricot • MBay • $20 6/22 • Post Malone • Monte Carlo • • Ticket prices for Tenors of Rock at 5/24 • Sum 41 • Brooklyn Bowl • $90–$145 Harrah’s have been changed from $25–$194 6/23 • Kool & The Gang • Cannery • $81.34-$119.82 to $70.51-$132.51. 5/25 • Brian Culbertson • Aliante • $39.95–$89.95 • Ticket prices for Chippendales at the Rio $30–$55 6/23 • Trevor Noah • Monte Carlo • have been increased from $61.25-$88.80 5/26 • P!nk • T-Mobile • $47.45– $53–$295 to $91/$104.68. $239.95 6/28 • Dita Von Teese & the Copper 5/26 • Sofi Tukker • Brooklyn Bowl • Coupe Burlesque • MBay • • Ticket prices for Nathan Burton at the $21/$26 $50–$100 V Theater have been increased from to 5/26 • Todd Rundgren • Hard Rock • 6/28 • Dua Lipa • Cosmo • $39/$49 $59.93/$70.83 to $74.10. $49–$109 6/29 ,• Dirty Heads • MBay • $43.70– ; , , • Ticket prices for Marc Savard at the 5/27 • Glitch Mob • Brooklyn Bowl • , / $93.29 V Theater have been increased; from ,, / $25/$30 6/29 • Vans • LV Events Center • $62.12/$73.02 to $65.39/$76.29. 5/27 • Paul Simon • MGM Grand • I '"r/,, $24–$100 $59.50–$175 • The highest ticket price for Absinthe at /' 5/27–7/20 • Jim Gaffigan • Caesars Palace • I//'!// , ,' Caesars Palace has been increased from $55–$99.50 $197.66 to $219.26. II/ 5/28 • Devon Allman Project • Brooklyn • The highest ticket price for AnthonyI CoolsI I Bowl • $25 ,, '// JUNE at Paris has been increased from $91.10 to $143.37. / 6/1 • Enanitos Verdes & Hombres G • / Hard Rock • $59–$350 • The highest ticket price for X Burlesque 6/1 • Tyler Farr • MBay • $27–$39 at the Flamingo has been increased from 6/1–6/9 • Céline Dion • Caesars Palace • $115.45 to $205.24. $95–$500 6/2 • Dane Cook • Cosmo • $30/$49 • Dirk Arthur Wild Magic has closed at 6/2 • Imparables • MBay • $49–$129 Westgate Las Vegas. 6/2–6/3 • Ricky Martin • Monte Carlo • See inside wrap (pg. 13) for • The Show has closed at $54–$321 “Weather,” “Room Rates,” and Bally’s. 6/8 • Impractical Jokers • Monte Carlo $43–$83 “Key Dates.” • Renegades has closed at Caesars Palace.

APRIL 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 7 Dining Notes continued … Wow to a sub-category-A show where the individual variety acts are the highlight. There are some good ones. Aerialists fly and spin fore the event,” but you can buy tickets now at lasvegas using hoops and loops, while acrobats and contortion- dinerenblanc.com to get your name on the list, as well ists perform some amazing feats of strength and bal- as read the voluminous rules for attending. ance on ropes and poles. A juggler with Frisbee-like hats Best Burger—In a survey of the best hamburgers in is incredibly fast and accurate. An Italian “chef” spins all 50 states, MSN.com selected Las Vegas’ Fukuburger plates to “That’s Amore,” human statues shoot water as number one in Nevada. Fukuburger is located at the from various private parts, three synchronized swim- Hawaiian Marketplace on the Strip and has a roving food mers do a bit in a giant water bowl, and in the Titanic truck. n scene (backed, of course, by Céline’s “My Heart Will Go On”), a ballroom dance fills with water and the ship sinks, aided by some dramatic effects. “America’s Got Openings/Closings Talent” semifinalist Sylvia Sylvia does various tricks with crossbows, and the most remarkable act is a trio of roller-skaters on a tiny round platform doing spectacular The restaurant roster is changing at the Palms. A stunts to “You Spin Me Round,” “I Need A Hero,” and new Asian fusion restaurant called Send Noodles has “Maniac.” The closing number is a salute to Gene Kelly’s opened next to the buffet. It’s also been announced that “Singing in the Rain,” with lots of splashing, from which Nove Italiano will close this month, replaced by Vetri our reviewer, sitting on the side edge of the stage, got a Cucina out of Philadelphia. little wet. Las Vegas’ second Steak ’n Shake and the largest Most reviews of Wow claim there’s not a bad seat in in the chain has opened at Hooters. Whereas the South the small showroom, but some views from those on the Point Steak ’n Shake is open only till midnight, the Hoot- sides get cut off; seats closer to the center, even at the ers location is open 24/7. back, are better than the far edges. In our view, this is Zippy’s, the 52-year-old Hawaiian restaurant chain mostly a value play. Get a good deal on a ticket from the with 24 locations on the islands, has announced that discount sellers or from a code (recently, WOW2GO was it will open its first mainland restaurant in Las Vegas in good for 50% off) and it’s a go. n early 2019. Zippy’s is known for its Hawaiian take on chili, fried chicken, oxtail soup, saimin, loco moco, mahi sandwiches, and Zip Pac bentos. n Show-Price Survey 2018

In our annual show-price survey, we go with the low- est ticket available in each tier without using coupons, ENTERTAINMENT half-price-booth discounts, or other cut-rate options. The survey includes every ongoing production playing in a casino, including afternoon shows, comedy clubs, and permanent headliners. Temporary headliners (e.g., Sein- Wow—World of Wonder feld) and Billy Idol-style “parachute” acts that perform sporadically or only a couple days per month are not Rio included. In cases (most) where a range of prices is of- $69.43/$93.23/$131.43/$165/$208.60 fered, we take the mean of the range. In situations where Tues.-Thurs, 7 pm; Fri-Sun, 7/9 pm multiple shows rotate at a single casino (e.g., the Colos- seum shows at Caesars Palace), we combine them into Wow is the first North American appearance of a a single entry. However, we eliminate VIP pricing that’s 15-year-old water-themed variety show that’s been seen available for only a few seats and would unduly skew the around the world and opened last fall in the redesigned average. Tax is included; this complicates things further, circular showroom at the Rio. Something of a blend- but entertainment taxes are so high, they have to be ing of Cirque du Soleil and V—The Ultimate Variety considered in the final price. Show, and borrowing from Splash at the old Riviera, the This year’s average comes in at $94.86, $2.56 production is fast-paced, high-energy, (mostly) family- (+2.77%) above last year’s. The 99 shows in the survey friendly and the water effects are impressive. That said, add up to five more than last year. we’ve seen better choreography and dancing, the cos- The most expensive seat we found was $827.70 for tumes are often over the top and cheesy, and it’s a bit of —All I Have. That was for a VIP seat and a mish-mash of disjointed vignettes, all of which relegate part of the group that was filtered out of the survey, but

8 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • APRIL 2018 you can pay it if you want to get up real close. J.Lo’s Bars and Happy Hours show was also part of the Planet Hollywood collective (with Lionel Richie and the ) that came in with the highest average ticket price at a record $206.70. Half-Price Wine—Wine is half-price on Mondays in The highest average for a single show was again Donny Contento Pizzeria & Bar at Jerry’s Nugget. & Marie at $181.25. It’s beginning to feel foolish to take a Cosmo HH—Blue Ribbon at Cosmo has a happy count of the shows with at least one ticket option above hour Sun.-Thurs. from 5 to 6:30 pm, with reduced-price $100 when the average is almost at that level, but we did appetizers, including oysters or shrimp for $2, and beer anyway. This year’s total came to 58, three more than and wine for $7-$10. last year, reflecting the fact that just about every new M Resort HH—Anthony’s at M Resort has a happy show that debuts on the Strip has a ticket in triple digits. hour daily from 5 to 7 pm, with half-price appetizers. This year’s lowest ticket for the second year in a row There are no drink discounts, but several good food se- is the revolving line-up at Royal Resort at $30.56. These lections from $5 to $9. shows are inconsistent and difficult to get information Grimaldi’s HH—Grimaldi’s has a happy hour daily about, but there’s usually magic or a tribute show Mon.- from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, with $2-$3 off drinks and select Wed. and sometimes others during the week (look for appetizers and $15 off wine by the bottle. free passes at the registration desk). Also low are Mike Less G.O.A.T.—The awesome happy hour we wrote Hammer Comedy Magic at the Four Queens ($32.16), about at G.O.A.T. bar in February was apparently too Spirit of the King at the Four Queens ($32.16), Popovich awesome. Several of the best appetizers are no longer Comedy Pet Theater at the V Theater ($32.50), Puppetry discounted, though the good KFC (Korean fried chicken) of the Penis at the ($32.50), wings are still $5. It runs daily from 3 to 6 pm and am. Electric Candy at Hooters ($35.96), Hypnosis Unleashed Boozy Bingo—Downtown’s Corduroy rock club is at Binion’s ($36.50), “LA Comedy Club” at Stratosphere running “BoozyBingo Thursdays.” Starting at 8 pm, buy ($36.65), Laughternoon at the D ($38), and the follow- a drink and get a bingo card to play for free drinks and ing shows that up to $100 in Corduroy bar bucks. The bar also runs all have at least Average Show Price “Mule Mondays,” with Moscow Mules for $5.50 from 4 one ticket priced Jul. ’92 — $27.05 Apr. ’06 — $62.02 to 9 pm. below $50: “Brad Oct. ’93 — $27.35 Apr. ’07 — $69.45 VGK Buckets—Parking at Hooters is an in-the- Garrett Com- Feb. ’94 — $29.01 Apr. ’08 — $70.21 know play on the south end of the Strip. And where ca- Feb. ’95 — $32.53 Apr. ’09 — $76.18 edy” (MGM), sinos that now charge for parking have used the excuse Feb. ’96 — $35.67 Apr. ’10 — $73.46 Fantasy (Luxor), that people park in their lots to go elsewhere, Hooters Mar. ’97 — $34.55 Mar. ’11 — $76.46 has been embracing it. The latest promo for Hooters’ Frank Marino’s Mar. ’98 — $39.81 Apr. ’12 — $75.44 Divas (LINQ), and Apr. ’99 — $46.06 Apr. ’13 — $80.22 free parking involves Vegas Golden Knights games. In “Jokesters Com- Apr. ’00 — $51.73 Apr. ’14 — $82.86 addition to inviting VGK fans to park in their lot, if you edy Club” (the D). Apr. ’01 — $43.40 Apr. ’15 — $85.20 show your ticket, you’ll get free beer. And not just a The results Apr. ’02 — $40.21 Apr. ’16 — $90.18 glass, but a bucket! Get one bucket per ticket when you Apr. ’03 — $45.91 Apr. ’17 — $92.30 of all the show visit within two hours before or after the game. If there Apr. ’04 — $47.20 Apr. ’18 — $94.86 are two of you, do both. surveys we’ve Apr. ’05 — $53.66 conducted for the Openings/Closings—Flowing Tide Pub has opened Temporary headliners not included. at 4680 S. Decatur in the space that was formerly past 27 years are Prices include tax. presented here. n Cozy’s. This is the first Las Vegas location for the bar that has five locations in Reno. The Mob Museum debuts its speakeasy and distill- n Esports Arena Opens ery April 19.

Esports Arena Las Vegas opened last month at Entertainment Notes Luxor in a 30,000-square-foot space that used to be the LAX nightclub. The complex houses a competition stage with arena-style seating, an interactive area called “The Museum-Discount Parlay—The Mob Museum and Dome” that features a collection of retro games, a pro- the National Atomic Testing Museum are offering a dis- duction facility, and two bars. Admission into the venue count when you visit them in tandem. Show a receipt is free and the public can pay to take part in competi- from either at the other and get 25% off the second tions or just observe. The food concession is overseen admission. Since the Mob Museum costs $26.95 and by big-time chef José Andrés, who is said to be an es- $16.95 for locals and the Atomic is $22/$18, you’ll save n ports enthusiast. continued on next page

APRIL 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 9 Entertainment Notes continued … the first time that a No. 16 beat a No. 1 after 135 previ- ous match-ups. UMBC was 20-1 on the money line and an alumnus of the college reportedly bet $800 to win a little more by going to the Atomic first. No expiration $16,000 at a CG Technology book. time between visits is specified. That and a barrage of other upsets busted every- Celine Cancels—All of Celine Dion’s shows through one’s bracket early. According to a MarketWatch report, April 18 have been canceled while she undergoes a by the end of the first weekend, no perfect brackets re- surgical procedure for an inner-ear problem. She’s ex- mained in any of the major March Madness challenges, pected to resume her schedule on May 22. including ESPN, Yahoo, CBS Sports, Walt Disney, More Cher—Classic Cher has added nine dates at Bleacher Report, and Capital One. Numbers weren’t Monte Carlo. Adding to previous dates of May 2, 4-5, included, but ESPN alone had something like 19 million 9, 12-13, 16, 18-19, Cher will also perform Oct. 31 and entrants. Nov. 2-3, 7, 9-10, 14,16-17. Tickets start at $60 base. In the strange-promo category, the Essence Vegas Blink to the Palms—The band Blink-182 has an- marijuana dispensary offered a year’s supply of cannabis nounced a residency deal at the Palms. The Kings of for filling out a perfect bracket. Never mind that it’s an the Weekend show will play in the Pearl Concert Theater approximately 1-in-9.2-quintillion event that’s never been May 26-27; June 8-9, 15-16, 23-24; Oct. 26-27; and accomplished before, or that Warren Buffet was offering Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17. Tickets start at $59 base. $1 million a year for life just for being perfect through the Little Doubt—Word is the next high-profile Las Sweet Sixteen (no one won that either). Essence must Vegas residency will be . The former have reckoned that the essentially no-chance-to-win- No Doubt lead singer and regular on “The Voice” TV free-weed-offer would resonate with someone—or at show is expected to play the Theater at Planet least generate some publicity (it did here). Hollywood. No official confirmation has come from Cae- For the second year running, D owner Derek Ste- sars Entertainment, so timetables and other particulars vens bet $11,000 on all 32 opening-round games. After remain unknown. posting a dreadful 10-19-3 record last year, this year he Next for Angel—There’s talk that Criss Angel will went 16-14-2 (including an unintended double wager land with a new show at Planet Hollywood after conclud- on Loyola of Chicago) and booked a $16,000 profit. At ing his run at Luxor. press time, the always-promoting Stevens was still alive Junefest—The headliner at this year’s Junefest mu- with a $25,000 bet at 40-1 odds that will net $1 million if sic festival is Rick Springfield, with the Starship featuring Michigan wins the tournament. Here’s what a potential Mickey Thomas and Berlin featuring Terri Nunn also ap- million-dollar ticket looks like. pearing. The show is June 9 at the Sunset Station Am- phitheater, with tickets starting at $29 base. ~ Downtown Rocks—The line-up for this year’s free GOLDEN NUGGET “Downtown Rocks Summer Concert Series” at the Fre- mont Street Experience is Candlebox/Cracker (5/25), PLA~ tili1i .,. WELCOME TO THE GOLDEN Everclear/Marcy Playground (6/30), Billy Ray Cyrus (7/4), -- - NU------GGET .,.. ------The Cult (7/14), Molly Hatchet (8/11), Halestorm (8/25), E849947BBDDF STRAIGH T BET and RATT/Sebastian Bach (9/29). 1 BET@._@_$2.5~~00=0=.o=o______See the Advance Planner for dates, prices, and addi- Apr 0:0 COLL BK CHAMPIONSHIP FUTURES n To W in ::?O 18 Mc-,~s NCAA Tournam ent tional show updates. [80 12) MICHI GAN +4000 TIC KET COST : $25,000.00 TO WIN: S1 ,000,000.00 T O COL LECT : S1 ,025,000.00 s po le Mar 03 2018 14 :57:09 GNLV T07 GAMBLING ES.1994-- 7BBOO-F ------~------"==------=--- -=1111 March Madness

Note that Stevens made the bet on March 3, before Every year, good gambling stories come out of the Michigan won the Big 10 Championship and garnered a NCAA basketball tournament, but this year produced #3 seed in the championship tournament, which explains more than most. the high 40-1 price. History was made when No. 16 seed Maryland- The inaugural “Hoops Madness Challenge” at the Baltimore County beat No. 1 seed Virginia 74-54. It was Westgate drew 161 entrants, creating a prize pool of

10 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • APRIL 2018 $16,100. Three players tied with records of 20-8, with Auto Sign-Up the winner decided by a game-total tie-breaker. The first prize was $8,000. With the Final Four next up as we go to press, the The Skyline has debuted its new players club. This American Gaming Association estimates that $10 bil- is an excellent gambler’s casino, with lots of deals and lion will be bet on the tournament in the U.S. alone, with some of the best low-limit only about $300 million of it wagered legally in Nevada video poker schedules in sports books. The AGA puts out the numbers to sup- town, but Skyline man- port its push for expanded sports betting legalization; it agement never responds did the same for the Super Bowl. It’s interesting to make to inquiries and we found the betting comparison between the two events, with no literature about the the Super Bowl coming in at less than half of the March club available when we Madness handle. n went in. Hence, we don’t know the particulars yet. However, we do know that you sign up by insert- More Instacomps ing your driver’s license into a kiosk. No booth to In February, we wrote about a good instacomp for deal with; it’s all done on the A.Y.C.E. Buffet at the Palms. The deal ran through the machine screen. We March and doesn’t look like it will be extended into April, haven’t seen this before, but several other similar deals are running this month. but it makes sense, given The beauty of an instacomp is that players of almost the trend toward kiosk- all skill levels usually have the best of it. In the examples based players club trans- n that follow, we assume that you’re playing at a 2% dis- actions. advantage, though experts can earn these comps for fractions of the stated amounts (all point requirements are equal to coin-in, e.g., 300 points requires $300 coin Video Poker Lost and Found in). This month at South Point, earn 300 points Mon.-Fri. to get a comped lunch buffet and earn 600 points for Westgate Las Vegas has debuted its new players dinner. This is an exceptional deal with an expected loss club. WOW Rewards points are earned at a rate of .1% of about $6 for lunch and $12 for dinner. There are some on video poker, .2% on slots, and 1% for retail purchas- procedural requirements, so check at the club booth es. That’s not particularly juicy, but Westgate also has before playing. lots of good schedules, including 15-8 Loose Deuces Silverton has a buffet instacomp on Tuesdays in Wild (100.15%) and Joker Wild 2 Pair paying 99.92% for April that requires only 50 points for lunch and 100 for quarters, plus 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54%) and several dinner. The schedules aren’t as good here, but it’s a other 99%+ games up to $50 denoms. There’s also a steal for only a $1-$2 expected loss for a buffet. $100-rebate offer for new members, though the redemp- Also on Tuesdays, earn 300 points at the Palms to tion terms are geared to locals and quick-return visitors. get a movie ticket or a car wash for about a $6 expected The online database vpFREE2 reports that the 5¢, loss. 10¢, and 20¢ 12-8 Loose Deuces (99.20%) has been El Cortez has an ongoing deal on Mondays and removed at Jerry’s Nugget. The game is still available Tuesdays where earning 1,000 points gets the daily pas- for 25¢-$2. Jerry’s best game under 25¢ is now 9/7/5 ta special in Siegel’s 1941. There’s more play involved in Double Bonus (99.11%). this one, so the expected loss is about $20 and there’s Add Yorky’s at 5325 S. Fort Apache to the list of more risk. Again, experts can play at breakeven or better bars dealing 7/5 Bonus Poker (98.01%). with El Cortez’ good schedules, but non-experts should The best schedule at Flowing Tide Pub is standard treat it as a decent add-on comp if playing anyway. 6/5 BP (96.87%), but it has some good promos. New Here’s another clever promo from Ellis Island. Earn club sign-ups get $20 after playing $50 and there’s a 400 points ($400) and get a free Uber or Lyft ride to the unique wheel spin. We haven’t analyzed it completely, airport. We’re not suggesting that you plan your vacation but you spin on quad 6-10s all the time and 5-Ks 11 am- exit around this, but you could do worse than topping off noon, 11 pm-midnight, and 4-5 am. The lowest payout is your trip with the EI steak special (see Top Ten), having marked “Promo,” which awarded $5 when we hit it. But one more playing session on good machines, then get- it also pays $100 on every fifth hit on the Promo spot. n ting a free ride to your plane ride home. continued on next page

APRIL 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 11 Video Poker Lost and Found continued … objected, stating that he’d done nothing wrong. Details regarding his play weren’t revealed, but last we checked, gambling with your own money wasn’t a crime. n The count is kept on a chalkboard, so be sure to play whenever four names are on the board. Stonehouse Bar & Grill (3889 E. Craig) has a play- $20-get-$20 sign-up bonus. The best game is 6/5 BP with a non-progressing progressive that’s capped at FAST TRACK $1,199 (97.27%). And we’re compelled to mention that this is the only bar we’ve ever been to that doesn’t have any kind of reflective device in the men’s room (the Tram Offline—The elevated tram between the Mi- women’s has mirrors). rage and Treasure Island has been taken offline and will The play-$500-get-$50 promo at Jackpot Bar and be out of order till November at the earliest. The line is Grill is scheduled to run on Wednesdays and Fridays in being “renovated,” so that it will be completely auto- April. mated; though the cars are driverless, an employee ap- Currently, no Bob Dancer video poker classes are parently had to oversee its operation. scheduled. They’re expected to resume in August. In Spring at Bellagio—The spring display is up at Bel- the interim, be sure to check out Bob’s weekly Tuesday lagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. The display column and the Thursday “Gambling With an Edge” features a Japanese garden with more than 65,000 flow- podcast, with Bob and Richard Munchkin, both at ers, lanterns and birds made out of seeds, a koi pond, GamblingWithAnEdge.com. n and a tea house. It’s open 24/7 and admission is free. Expensive Buildings—In a list of the most expen- sive buildings in the world based on construction costs Gambling Notes (adjusted to reflect costs in today’s market), casinos oc- cupy five positions. Leading the casinos is the Cosmo- politan of Las Vegas, built at a cost of $4.24 billion. Also Triple Zeros—Two new triple-zero- wheels included are Wynn Resort ($3.28 billion), Bellagio ($2.33 have been spotted. One is at Planet Hollywood, the oth- billion), Palazzo ($2.06 billion), and the shuttered Trump er at New York-New York, meaning that both Caesars Taj Mahal in Atlantic City ($2 billion). The most expensive Entertainment and MGM Resorts have joined in the rou- building in the U.S. is Apple Park, the Apple campus lette gouge that previously had been the sole province of in Cupertino, California, with a cost of $5 billion. The the Venetian. The extra zero raises the casino edge from worldwide leader is the Abraj al Bait hotel and residential 5.26% to 7.69%. As for the Venetian, the last time we complex in Saudi Arabia, listed at $15.49 billion. checked, two triple-zeros were in action and no double Delta on Top—In the annual “Middle Seat” study zeros—the first time we’ve been there without both be- by the Wall Street Journal, Delta was ranked the “top ing offered. Why should they? Both tables were busy. carrier” in a comparison of seven operational metrics, Will Hill at Klondike—The long-awaited Klondike pushing Alaska/Virgin to number-two after Alaska held Sunset sports book has opened. It’s a satel- the top spot (before merging with Virgin) for the past four lite, so nothing exciting there. But it’s also another ad- years. JetBlue finished last in the eight-airline study. dition to the cool little slots casino with excellent food Pot Town—The California town of Nipton, located deals. The book is next to the bar, so you can watch off I-15 just past the Nevada border, has been pur- the games while playing some video poker and having a chased by American Green Inc., a cannabis company drink. out of Arizona that plans to turn the entire town into a Masters Line—Dustin Johnson is the favorite to win “pot tourism destination.” The purchase price was $5 the Masters golf tournament at 9-1, followed by Jordan million and the company says it will invest about $2.5 Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Rory McIlroy, all at 10-1. million over the next year to create the weed mecca. n Amazingly, Tiger Woods isn’t far behind at 13-1. MLB Line—With baseball season underway, the Houston Astros are the favorite to top the American League at +235 and the Los Angeles Dodgers are the fa- vorite to win in the National League at +320. The Astros are the favorite to win the World Series at +490. Fired for Gambling—It’s being reported that the firing of President Trump’s personal assistant, John McEntee, was due to his being a “frequent gambler whose habit posed a security risk.” McEntee reportedly

12 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • APRIL 2018 MAY MAY 8–10 National Hardware Show—30,000 WEEKDAY WEEKEND 20–23 RECon—37,000 Four Queens • $35 Four Queens • $75 24–6/3 Valley Nat’l 8-Ball Pool Championship—10,000 Wild Wild West • $38 AZ C. Decatur • $100 El Cortez • $40 California • $100 Circus Circus • $50 Palace Station • $102 Sam’s Town • $59 Sam’s Town • $104 JUNE Hooters • $60 Downtown Grand • $115 1–8 Valley Nat’l 8-Ball Championship—10,000 Hard Rock • $92 Red Rock • $119 6-7 Int’l Communications Industries—38,000 Palms • $95 Palms • $145 11–14 American Water Works Assoc.—15,000 Mirage • $106 Hard Rock • $162 23–25 Int’l Esthetics LV—25,000 JUNE KEY WEEKDAY WEEKEND JULY Four Queens • $35 Wild Wild West • $69 19–21 Nerium Int’l—20,000 Wild Wild West • $42 El Cortez • $89 29–8/1 ASD Las Vegas—44,000 El Cortez • $47 AZ C. Decatur • $90 29–8/1 Las Vegas Market—50,000 DATES Sam’s Town • $59 Downtown Grand • $108 Circus Circus • $60 Sam’s Town • $112 APRIL Downtown Grand • $63 Silverton • $118 Mean 64° Avg. Max. 78° Avg. Min. 50° Pools: Open Hard Rock • $81 Hard Rock • $162 Daily highs reach into the 80s with regularity. Winds subside. Palms • $105 Paris • $166 Paris • $116 Mirage • $176 Attire: Spring wardrobe for days. Bring a warm jacket just in case. JULY

ROOM WEEKDAY WEEKEND MAY Four Queens • $35 Wild Wild West • $69 Mean 74° Avg. Max. 88° Avg. Min. 60° Pools: Open Wild Wild West • $43 Four Queens • $99 El Cortez • $50 AZ C. Decatur • $100 The most pleasant month of the year. Las Vegas at its best. Summer heat begins at the end of the month. Sam’s Town • $65 Downtown Grand • $100 Attire: Spring wardrobe. Silverton • $68 Sam’s Town • $112 Circus Circus • $69 Silverton • $118 Hard Rock • $111 Paris • $186 JUNE Palms • $115 Palms • $205 Mean 84° Avg. Max. 99° Avg. Min. 68° Pools: Open RATES Mirage • $136 Mirage • $216 The first of the hot dry months. Welcome to the desert.

WEATHER Best rates at press time from sample of 54 Las Vegas casinos. Rates NOT guaranteed, subject to Attire: Minimal. change without notice, and do not include tax. Lower prices may be available online. Sports Betting Is (Almost) Here

As the Supreme Court prepares its decision on legalizing sports betting nationally, here at LVA, we’re preparing for the biggest gambling boom since Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP and launched the poker craze a full 15 years ago. We have upwards of seven sports-betting books on the drawing board, with several of them in production. The first is a memoir tentatively titled Then One Day, by Chris Andrews, a 40-year bookmaker in Nevada casi- nos. Reading the amusing and amazing stories of his experiences will give you a good look inside the life and mind of a casino sportsbook director. Similar is an autobiography by Art Manteris, who rose to renown with the 1991 book Superbookie and catches up readers of that book on Art’s last 30 years in the wiseguy trenches. On the other side of the counter is a book by a highly successful sports bettor who quit his job 20 years ago and has been making a nice living beating the bookies, both in casinos and online, ever since. Our man Blair Rodman, co-author of Kill Phil, is writing the ultimate how-to guide to sports betting. And yet an- other title is an expert’s guide to sports handicapping. Taken altogether, these books, and others, will provide all you need to know to get in on the new world of legal- ized sports betting. The Frugal Gambler Casino Guide Jean Scott • $12.71 +S&H ($16.95 Retail)

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